Wiring Question (LED's)

[deano7]

I just got my LED wiz + GP from GGG.  I am excited/nervous.  I've never attempted to do wiring like this before.  I want to have LED's on both sides of the cabinet.  Here is my question.  If I want 5 LED's on each side, do I have to run 5 wires plus a ground to each side or is there a way to run 2 wires to each side and then branch off from there?  I also have two LED buttons I am hoping to drive with this board.

What is the best means to attach LED's to the side of a cabinet?  I have a cutout in the sides with translucent plexiglass to let out the light.  Are there any online resources / videos to walk a noob through this for the first time?

Thanks!
Dean

[saurian333]

If I want 5 LED's on each side, do I have to run 5 wires plus a ground to each side or is there a way to run 2 wires to each side and then branch off from there?

You're describing series vs. parallel circuits, if I understand you correctly.  You'll probably want parallel so that you get the same voltage to all the LEDs.  Basically, it will look something like:

O===O===O===O===O===[Power source]

Whereas a series would look like:

O---O---O---O---O---
|________________[Power source]

...where the top row goes from the power source to one + lead, then you wire the LEDs from + to -, then the last - back to the power source.  This keeps consistent current, but distributes the voltage, so they won't be as bright.  Keep in mind that this route is like Christmas tree lights (one burns out, the others lose power).

What is the best means to attach LED's to the side of a cabinet?  I have a cutout in the sides with translucent plexiglass to let out the light.  Are there any online resources / videos to walk a noob through this for the first time?

Drill hole, insert LED? Think that depends on the effect you're going for.  If you're going for something like a starfield or whatever, that would work; I'd hot glue them in after inserting (nothing stronger, or you'll never be able to replace them if you need/want to).

If you're trying to illuminate the plexi evenly or something, someone else might have a better idea...

[deano7]

Thanks for the response!

I am using a LED WIZ + GP from GGG.  Here is what I am planning to do, I am a noob, so tell me if this sounds right.  I am going to run 5 yellow LED's to each side of my cabinet.  I am planning to use 28 gauge wire for all of the connections, is that a good gauge?  I am also going to use a molex connector so that it is easy to disconnect for service.  I will have 2 wires both coming out of the +5V (one for each side of the cabinet).  Then I'm going to have 5 LED's on each side.  I am going to run them in parallel so each line off of the +5V output will be connected to each of 5 wires on its side of the cabinet.  Each of those wires will connect to the longer side of the LED.  On the other side (shorter leg) I will solder a resistor (100 ohms) to the LED's and then each one will terminate in numbers 1-10 of the LED wiz.  Then, I have 2 Novagem buttons that will connect to numbers 11 and 12.  Do the LED's that came with the novagem buttons already have the resistors built in to them?  How do I tell which side to connect to the +5V output and which to attach to numbers 11 and 12?  Since I am wiring in parallel with each going to its own number on the LEDWIZ, then I can use LEDblinky to create some neat patterns.

I have some cutouts on the side of the cab and behind it is some frosted plexiglass.  I just want it to glow, so I guess I am just going to duct tape the LED's behind the cutout.  It's not elegant, but then again no one will see it.

Thanks again for the post.  I think it will look pretty cool.  In any event, I'll post some pics this weekend when it is working.
Dean
 

[saurian333]

I am using a LED WIZ + GP from GGG.  Here is what I am planning to do, I am a noob, so tell me if this sounds right.  I am going to run 5 yellow LED's to each side of my cabinet.  I am planning to use 28 gauge wire for all of the connections, is that a good gauge? 

Personally, I go with 18-20 for most things, but I think 28 would be fine.  Anyone else have an opinion on that?  I'm sure there's a formula for figuring out the best gauge to use, deals with length and desired voltage and resistance and such.

I am also going to use a molex connector so that it is easy to disconnect for service.  I will have 2 wires both coming out of the +5V (one for each side of the cabinet).  Then I'm going to have 5 LED's on each side.  I am going to run them in parallel so each line off of the +5V output will be connected to each of 5 wires on its side of the cabinet.  Each of those wires will connect to the longer side of the LED.  On the other side (shorter leg) I will solder a resistor (100 ohms) to the LED's and then each one will terminate in numbers 1-10 of the LED wiz.  Then, I have 2 Novagem buttons that will connect to numbers 11 and 12.  Do the LED's that came with the novagem buttons already have the resistors built in to them?  How do I tell which side to connect to the +5V output and which to attach to numbers 11 and 12?  Since I am wiring in parallel with each going to its own number on the LEDWIZ, then I can use LEDblinky to create some neat patterns.

Sound cool.   Molex is a good idea.  I don't know about the Novagem LEDs in particular; of all the LEDs I've bought in the last few years, about 1/3 of them did not have resistors.  Decent/more expensive (not much more, mind you) ones tend to have them built in, and I would expect the Novagems to have pretty good ones, but I can't say for sure.  Unless I'm mistaken, your +5V should generally go to the positive lead, which is the longer one.

I have some cutouts on the side of the cab and behind it is some frosted plexiglass.  I just want it to glow, so I guess I am just going to duct tape the LED's behind the cutout.  It's not elegant, but then again no one will see it.

I think if the LEDs are too close to the frosted plexi, you'll still be able to "see" where they are (brighter spots).  I guess you'll just have to experiment with that, unless someone else has been successful.  A more effective way of lighting a piece like that is to mount the LEDs at the edges of the plexi (with the tip pointed at the edge).

Thanks again for the post.  I think it will look pretty cool.  In any event, I'll post some pics this weekend when it is working.

No problem!  Do you have a project thread for your cab?  If not, you should put one up in the Project Announcements section.

[deano7]

I sent GGG a few emails with no response, but I really want to work on my jukebox this weekend.  I tried to wire up the LEDWIZ as I described and I get nothing.  The computer recognizes the HID device and I have it wired as shown.  (The gray wire is connect to the red wire that goes to the resistor.)  Anything I am doing wrong?  I swear that this should be simple and I swear that I have it wired exactly as it shows in the directions.  Any advice?  Attached is a pic of the LEDWIZ and also one of the jukebox shell for good measure!  Thank in advance!

[arzoo]

The LEDWiz ports are off by default - so you'll need to use the provided software (or another like LEDBlinky) to turn on the port and light the LED. If you've already done that and it's still not working, try reversing the gray and red wire at the LEDWiz. LEDs are not bi-directional - if you have the polarity reversed, it won't light up.

By the way - the NovaGems do have the resister built-in.

[deano7]

Ugh, I feel like a stooge.  That makes complete sense now. 

I guess since there wasn't a CD in the box, it made me think that by default everything is on and the LEDBlinky and other programs only were for tunring them off. 

Thanks so much for the information.  I'll give it a go tonight. 

[deano7]

Arzoo,  Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question!  I got the lights to light up just perfectly. 

Probably another stupid question, can you alter the brightness of an LED through an application?  (have it dimly lit and then get brighter or fade to black)?

Thanks again for the info, it sometimes sucks to be a noob.

[Bender]

yes LEDBlinky even has an animation editor built in, try it! it's wicked cool!
You can do all sorts of fades, ect.